New centre for deafblind children in North London
08 July 2013
Sense, the national deafblind charity, has announced plans to open the only dedicated deafblind children’s centre in London – one of just four of its kind in the UK. This fully accessible centre, based in Barnet, will provide specialist support and services to children who are deafblind and their families.
Every aspect of the new centre has been designed around the needs of children with both hearing and sight difficulties, who often have additional disabilities.
Sense has now launched a fundraising appeal to raise money for building and equipping the children’s centre. The campaign is being supported by television presenter Claudia Winkleman who describes the centre as a “lifeline” for families of deafblind children.
Sense plans to convert a building in the area into a safe and stimulating space, where children can learn and enjoy new experiences with their family. The plans include creating a sensory room which will help stimulate the children’s residual senses. A family room for parent groups and out of school activities will provide a comfortable environment for the whole family to relax and have fun together.
Modern technology and state-of-the-art equipment, such as swipe motion iPads, will be used to develop communication skills, heighten senses and make it easier for children with both sight and hearing loss to develop their understanding and independence skills.
Sense’s CEO, Gillian Morbey, said:
“So much of what we know about the world comes from our senses of sight and hearing, so children who are both deaf and blind face many barriers. But with the right support, tailored to their individual needs, deafblind children can achieve so much. This new centre means we can support even more deafblind children to learn, develop and achieve.”
Claudia Winkleman, who is supporting Sense’s fundraising campaign for the centre, said:
“As a mother myself, I can only imagine what it must be like to discover that your child is deafblind and the help and support that they must need. That's why I'm delighted to support Sense with their campaign to develop the only dedicated deafblind children's centre in London. This centre will be a lifeline to many families of young deafblind children.
“I encourage everyone to get involved with Sense's campaign to raise money to build this new centre which will have such a direct impact on changing lives."
The new centre will also offer parents practical ideas about how to develop their children’s skills, advice on suitable play activities and help to communicate more effectively with their child through a series of workshops. Experts will be on hand to advise parents if they are going through difficult times.
Sense’s specialist children services team will be carrying out assessments to identify the children’s needs and ensure that they receive the right support from educational and other support services. The centre will also run training courses for professionals who work with children in the health, education and care sectors, to raise awareness of deafblindness and the specialist support available.
To help create Sense’s only dedicated centre for children and young people who are deafblind in London please visit our Sparkles appeal pages.
Related links
Services for children and young people